Table



B. ZIMMER.

TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED DCT. Z5, 1916.

Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

3 SHEETS- SHEET I.

B. ZIMMER.

Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

a. ZIMMER.

TABLE.

APPLICATION ElLED OCT. 25, |916.

1,358,353, Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TABLE.

Speciicathion of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

Application filed October 25, 1916. Serial No. 127,604.

To aZZ 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN Zinnen, a citizen of the United States, resident of Minneapolis, county of Hennepin. State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tables, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a table which can be easily and quickly increased or decreased in the size or area of its top to adapt it for a library or living room table or for a dining or breakfast room table.

)ther objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description.

The invention consists generally in various constructions and combinations, all as hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this' specification,

Figure 1 is a plan sectional view of my .improved table in its collapsed or folded condition,

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the same,

F ig. 3 is a plan sectional view, showing the table expanded,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the leaf raised to the level of the table top and near the end of its upward movement,

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the table closed,

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the table in its open position,

Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4, taken on a section line at right angles substantially to the section line of Fig. 6, with the leaf unfolded between the sides of the table top.

In the drawing, 2 represents the legs of the table of any ordinary or preferred construction. 3 represents side bars and 4 end bars between the connecting or side bars. 5 represents rails. having groove and tongue connections with a-stationary rail 5', disposed preferably between the rails 5 and mounted on the tops of the legs. The bars 5 are connected respectively to table top sections 6 and 7 and are movable back and forth on the rails 5" to open and close the table top. This manner of mounting the top sections on the sliding rails is of ordinary construction in tables and I make no claim to the same herein.

Between these sliding bars at right angles substantially thereto I provide rails 8 in parallel relation with one another upon opposite sides of the middle portion of the table: These rails are secured to the bars 9 which extend horizontally between the up- 'per portions of the legs and between the sliding bars 5, and are suitably secured to rails 5. The inner faces of the rails 8 are provided with cam grooves 10 having horizontal end portions 11 and 12 and between the rails I provide a leaf composed preferably of sections 13 and 14, having their abutting ends hinged together by means of invisible hinges 15, which I do not illustrate in detail, as they are ordinary stock hinges.

A cross bar 16 is provided on the section 14 near one end, having gudgeons 17 to slide in the grooves 10. The lower ends of the grooves are near the lower edges of the rails 8 and the upper ends of the grooves are near the upper edges of these rails and when the leaf sections are folded, they will drop down between the rails 8 and the sliding bars of the table top and allow the bars to be moved toward one another to close or contract the table, the top sections having the usual dowel pins 18 and sockets 19 to register when the sections of the top are moved against one another.

The ends of the lower leaf section 14 have` grooves 19 therein to receive the pins 18 when the leaf is raised `to a level withthe table top, and the upper leaf section 13'has notches 20 therein to receive the dowel pins at the opposite end of the top sections andV thereby the leaf will be securely locked in its raised position. As shown plainly in Fig. 7, the upper ends of the grooves 10 are substantially horizontal and the gudgeons seated therein will-be firmly supported and the upper surface of the leaf, when raised and unfolded, will be securely supported on a level with the table top, even under the weight of heavy articles which may be placed on the table. I also prefer to provide a cam block 21 with which the end of the lower leaf section contacts when the table is opened and the leaf is raised. The substantially horizontal upper portions of the grooves 10 insure a stable support for the folding leaves and eliminate any possibility of their sliding downward accidenn tallyin the cam before the user desires toV close the table.

In using the table, the top sections are pulled apart to expose the space between them. The operator will'then grasp the free end of the upper leaf. section 13 and raise it away from the other section, at the same time exerting sufficient pressure on the 1. lower section to cause 1t to slide upwardly in the` grooves until it 1s on a level ,with thctable top and the end of the lower leaf section in alinement with the corresponding ends of the top section. The upper leaf section .isl then dropped down upon the dowel pins and the table -is readyfor use. As the sections ride up inthe cam.; grooves, the end of the leaf will strike the block '21 and be guided thereby upwardly tothe space between the' sliding sections f-of the to llo fold the table, the upper-leaf section may be raised or tilted overupon the lower` section and the two moved-endwise, with the gudgeonssliding in the grooves andthe end-of the lower section following a lguide 2l until the ksections are below the level, cf

the table top, when theftop sections may beA moved toward one another to closethe gap between tliemand conceal the leaf. f

In various ways the-details Aofconstruction herein shown l.and described `may be modiiedfand stillbe within the scopeof invention.y

I claim as my invention:

l. The combination,with a table top com-` posed of sections mounted tomove-away fromor toward one another to expose vor close the gap between them, a leafcomposed of `hinged sections mounted to lslidev in guides from a point below the level-of said top sections toa positionsubstantially 1n alinement therewith the'lower leaf `section supportingtheupper section, the upper portion of the guides forlsaid leaf section adjusting the lower leaf sectio'newithrits end in. alinement with the adjacent endsof; the table top-when the sections areffraised,qthe upper leaf section being vlifted from the lower leaf section andturned downwardly to position its end in alinement with lthe',

opposite edge of the table top.-V

2. i The combination, with la tabletop composed of sections mounted to move away from or toward one another to expose or close -a Vgapbetween them, a leaf composed of sections; placed end to end and hinged together, side guides wherein said leaf is movable vertically from a position beneath; said top to a position between the separated sections thereof, and an end guide? having a curved surface whereon said sections are slidable. l

3. The combination, with a tabletop com. posed of sections mounted to, move `away from or toward one another to expose or closefa gap between them, of a leaf com? posed of sections hinged together and mounted to move from a positionbelow the level of said tabletop sections toa point on f the' level therewith, said leaf sections when in their raised position having a horizontal sliding movement, the under leaf section having means for interlocking with the abutting edges of the top sections and the upper leaf section having means for interlocking with the opposite ends of said top sections when said upper leaf section is lifted and swung down to a position between said top sections and on a level therewith.

4. The combination, with a tabletop composed of sections mounted to VAmove away from or toward one another to expose or close a gap between them,-said sections having pins in their opposing edges, of a leaf composed of sections hinged together land mounted to be unfolded and moved into the gap between said top sections, one of said lleaf sections having longitudinal recesses therein to receive the pins at one end of said top sections and the other leaf section having notches therein vto receive the pins at the other end of said top sections.

5. The combination, with a table top composed of 'sections mounted to move away from or toward one -another to expose or close a gap between them, of a leaf composed of 'sections hinged together and mounted to move `from a position below the level of said table top sectionsto a vpoint on a level therewith, said leaf sections when in their raised position having a horizontal sliding movement, the under leaf section having comparatively long recesses infjits edges to receive pins provided in the abuttingY edges of said top sections and the upper leaf section having notches in its upper surface to receive pins provided iny the oppor Y site ends of said .top sections when said top section is lifted and swung downtoagposition between said top sections and on; a levely therewith 4 Y 6. The combinatiom with@ table top composedof sections mounted .to move away from or towardone another to expose or closev the gapbetween them, of, a leaf sec,- tion composed of upper and lower members hinged. together atA one end andl mounted in inclinedjguides beneath the table top (and.

extending transversely thereof vfor movement of lsaid leaf -section fromaposition below the level of saidtop to a point where its. lower member will be in .alinement with said tabletop sections, the upper leaf member when lifted and foldedfdo/wn to ahorizontal position, on a .level with the flower leaf member coperating with saidlower membertolill the gap between thetable top sections andy saidA leaf membershaving sections.

posed of, sections mounted to' moveaway Vfrom or toward one another to expose or means A,for interlocking l with 'said table4 top close the gap between them, a leaf composed of hinged sections mounted to slide in guides transversely of the table from a point below the level of said top sections to a position substantially in alinement therewith, the upper portion of the guides for said leaf -section being substantially horizontal for adjustment of the lower leaf section with its end in alinement with the adjacent ends of the table top,rthe other 10 leaf section normally lying upon the lower leaf section and being lifted and turned downwardly to position its end in alinement with the opposite edge of the table top.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set 15 myhand this 18th day of October 1916.

BENJAMIN ZMMER.V 

